Clifton Food Bank releases report on 2023 activities, changes to service

The Clifton Food Bank recently released a report on its activities for the 2023 year.

The report stated that the average number of families served on a monthly basis was 77; the highest number of families served in one month was 98 (October 2023); and the average number of people served monthly was 224.

The funds donated in 2023 totaled $55,815.86 – $17,000 of which was donated during the annual Food for Families Food Drive in November 2023.

The food bank’s expenses in 2023 included $6,354 in cleaning, maintenance, utilities, and supplies and $37,058 in restocking food (grocery purchases).

“We were very blessed during the latter part of 2023,” the report stated. “We received more than 1/3 of our monetary donations for the year during this time. That means we will start out with a healthy bank balance for the start of 2024!”

The report noted that the food bank’s management team decided to cut a few costs late in the year due to a dip in its donation stream.

“We were dangerously low on cash at the end of September 2023, so we have made some changes for 2024 to help balance our reserves through the year,” the report said.

The adjustments included:

•Replaced the janitorial services at the food bank with volunteer assistance.

•Changed food quantities per household size starting in December 2023.

•Purchased Carnation Instant Breakfast rather than Ensure because CIB provides most of the nutrients for much less cost. Donations of Ensure will still be distributed through the food bank.

Going forward the food bank’s report will be released on a quarterly basis, as opposed to its former monthly release, the volunteer committee stated.

In addition, the latest update said that the food bank facility experienced a water line break in early January. Volunteers went without a toilet and a sink before the line was repaired.

The report also included a calendar denoting the groups donating their time at the food bank in 2024.

Different groups, such as churches and civic clubs, rotate at the food bank, serving clients who reside in the 76634 zip code.

To see the latest requests for donations of specific foods from the food bank, visit its Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/ cliftonTXfoodbank About CFB

The Clifton Food Bank is a ministry of the Clifton Ministerial Alliance.

Donations –both food and funds—can be dropped off at the food bank during normal operating hours: Tuesdays and Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., and Mondays, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.

The Clifton Food Bank is located at the corner of Highway 6 and 9th Street in the Presbyterian Place. The address is: 310 South Avenue G / Highway 6, Clifton, TX 76634.

The Clifton Food Bank is available three days a week to all persons who live in the 76634 zip code.

Application for service may be made during hours the food bank is open. Proof of identity and residency are required annually. Clients may visit the food bank once a month.

The Clifton Food Bank stocks nonperishable canned and dry food items. Donations of these items may be brought to the Food Bank during its operating hours.

For more information, contact Kathy Meisner via email at kathy@immanuelclifton.org or by phone at (817) 7130081, or Shelby Parker via email at shelby@immanuelclifton.org.